Disclaimed. Title inspired by the James Bond movie, 'The Spy Who Loved Me'. Enjoy :)
Kristen Gregory usually didn't give much thought to her outfits. She actually thought she'd exaggerated with her purplish maroon cardigan, white ruffled tank and soft grey jeans. After all, she wasn't attending a fashion show.
But now, standing in the middle of a palace disguised as a hotel, she wished she was more like her friend, Skye Hamilton. The model-like beauty always wore a to-die-for outfit.
Kristen made her way through the five-star hotel's lobby, trying to ignore all the critical looks that were thrown her way. She could say she perfectly understood why people were so shocked, though. Everywhere she looked, women wearing Chanel cocktail dresses and men with Armani suits stood, each of them with an air of importance. The lobby smelled like a mixture of quality leather, designer bags and pricey perfumes. And Kristen? Well, her outfit was an assemble of Target discounts. The only thing that wasn't Target was a Juicy Couture charm bracelet that she'd bought with her savings.
Kristen glanced at the information desk, and tried hard not to groan once she saw the huge line of people. She plopped down on the sofa nearest to her and smiled in content as she felt the soft cushions around her. She closed her eyes, trying to relax. First, she had gotten lost in the streets of Rome. Then, after finally finding her hotel, the reservation she had made a week ago had not appeared. She was forced out of the hotel to look for another place to stay…and then some redhead stole her suitcase with all of her clothes and half of the money she'd bought. And now she was in a five-star hotel where everybody was staring at her as if she was some mutant stray dog.
Come on, Kristen. Look at the bright side: you're fulfilling your life-long wish of coming to Italy, Kristen thought, rubbing her temples.
Since she could remember, her dream had always included Italy. Move to Italy, study in Italy, marry in Italy…even the simplest things –celebrate a birthday in Italy, walk down the streets at night in Italy, read a book in Italy. And after waiting for eighteen years, she was finally here. Her parents had given her this trip as an eighteenth birthday gift.
Too bad it was her first day, and half of her money was already gone along her clothes, place to stay and dignity.
"Are you a guest here?" someone with an American accent asked.
Kristen's aqua eyes opened slowly, just to find a pretty brunette standing in front of her. Her amber eyes reflected nothing but annoyance, and her overly glossed lips were pursed into a disgusted pout.
Kristen shook her head, resisting the urge to yawn. "I actually came here to get a room."
The girl pointed a manicured finger at the information desk. "Then you go there."
Kristen lifted an eyebrow. "I know…but the waiting line is too long right now."
"I'm sorry, but you can't be here if you don't have a room."
Kristen bit her lower lip and discreetly glanced at the girl's outfit. A grey knitted cap-sleeved sweater dress adorned by a waist belt, black suede heels and black bow clutch. No uniform, no nametag.
"You don't work here," Kristen stated.
"Duh! I'm Massie Block."
Kristen remained silent. Was she some kind of celebrity that was big in Italy?
"Daughter of William Block," Massie continued, her eyes narrowing with every word.
"Sorry," Kristen shook her head. "But I'm not from here."
"Neither am I…want to know why?"
Kristen nodded her head uncertainly, trying to figure out the girl.
"Because I'm here, visiting my dad's hotel! And my dad's hotel happens to be this one –Sogni d' Oro, just the most famous hotel across Europe. Therefore, I can do whatever I want with you as long as you're standing here."
Kristen's eyes widened and she quickly stood up. "I didn't-"
"If you want a room, you have to get in line. A girl like you laying around in the lobby isn't good for our image," Massie cut in, pulling Kristen toward the desk.
"The line-"
"I can cut whatever lines I want," Massie interrupted, stopping in front of the information desk.
"But the 'image of'-"
"Laura," Massie ordered.
"Yes, Ms. Block?" a worker asked in a heavy accent as she approached Massie rapidly.
"Get her a room."
The worker nodded, and quickly began typing in her computer.
"Hopefully, you have nicer clothes. If we want our hotel to maintain it's five stars, then everybody inside has to dress accordingly," Massie stopped, looking Kristen up and down. "Do you even have money?"
"I'm sure I can pay one night," Kristen answered steadily, not breaking Massie's judgmental gaze. She was used to girls like Massie. After all, she did attend a private school because of a scholarship. And even though Skye was fairly popular, people still liked making fun of Kristen.
Massie nodded wordlessly, a suspicious glint in her eyes. Then something behind Kristen caught her eyes, making her pout.
"Oh, great. He's back again," she muttered.
Kristen turned around. Once she saw the person Massie had seen, her breath caught in her throat.
She had to take a minute to stare.
The boy looked of about her age, maybe a year older. With his defined jaw, sun kissed skin, hazel eyes and golden brown hair that fell just above his eyes, he could easily be the definition of perfection. Too bad that he looked even snobbier than Massie. The way that he talked to the clerk as he ordered a room made it clear as water that he thought he owned the world.
"Josh's such a snob," Massie snarled.
Kristen resisted the urge to chuckle. Look who's talking…
"Hopefully, his stupid friends aren't here with him…I can put up with the puppy-eyed boy. But the Spanish wannabe? She's impossible," Massie continued ranting.
"Only suite 1301 is available, miss," Laura said once she returned.
Kristen pressed her lips together. She would've been content with the janitor's closet as long as she had a place to stay for the night. Sure, she'd like to do anything in Italy. But sleeping on the streets of Rome wasn't part of the list.
"What would it cost me for the night?" Kristen asked, trying not to sound afraid. She wasn't in the mood to be shocked in front of this Massie girl.
Laura bit her lip, slowly turning the computer screen toward her. As the price appeared, Kristen couldn't help but widen her eyes.
"No way!"
Once again, every eye turned on her; even the cute boy (Josh) was staring at her with an unreadable expression. Whatever it was, though, she was sure it wasn't admiration. Kristen's cheeks burned. Well…excuse me for not having as much money as you do, she thought, taking out her wallet. The closest hotel from here was the Scarafaggi Giardino –which had been her first choice until a lady informed her that it meant Cockroach Garden.
"I'll take it," Kristen answered, handing half of her money to the clerk. It wasn't until a few seconds later that she realized she had replied in unison with the cute guy. She didn't care, though…she'd only been in Rome for a night and she was already broke.
Kristen sighed as the clerk handed her a key.
Massie was smirking mockingly. "Pleasure doing business with you."
Kristen tried hard not to glare. What kind of people would price a room by so much money?
As Kristen turned to the elevator, Massie examined her. "What…no suitcases?"
"They got stolen," Kristen muttered, without looking back. She was still displeased by the price of those rooms. The Blocks were nothing else other than thieves. It wasn't as if she was buying the suite for it to be so costy!
Kristen began to count how much money she had left when she tripped with some suitcase and into the elevator, which smelled like a Ralph Lauren cologne.
"Oh, great…guardare dove si, signorina!"
Kristen slowly began to stand up. The only thing she'd understood was signorina, which meant miss. "Scusa, scusa…parla ingles?" (Sorry, sorry…do you speak English?"
When Kristen was finally up, her eyes widened. Right in front of her was Josh. Oh…great, just great. Getting embarrassed in front of an insanely attractive guy was just what I needed.
Josh, recognizing her, exhaled with annoyance. "I said that you should watch where you're going."
"Sorry," Kristen replied, biting her lower lip. She began to head over to his side so she could push the elevator buttons.
"What're you doing?" Josh questioned, a displeased look on his face.
"Pushing my floor's button," Kristen replied, pressing number twenty.
Josh remained silent as Kristen returned to her spot. After meeting Massie and this guy, she actually wished to be in a room full of her classmates rather than with them. She pitied every single person who had to walk by those two.
The elevator dinged open.
Kristen stepped out…and so did Josh. Please, don't tell me we're in the same floor. If that was the case, then it meant she'd bump into him more often. As she began to walk, she couldn't help but notice that he was walking right next to her, checking his phone. Kristen frowned. With the luck she had, he'd probably turn out to be her neighbor. Kristen made a turn, and gulped when he followed her suit. Really close neighbors…
Josh began to notice it too, since he kept glancing her way with a weird expression on his face. Kristen began to walk faster, not stopping until she reached Suite 1031.
He stopped too.
They both glanced at each other before taking out their keys.
"Oh…"
"Please, no," Josh muttered.
Those keys both opened suite 1301.
Author's Note: So...did you like it? Anything you'd like to see, anything I should fix? Tell me in a review ;) Thank you so much for checking out my story! I know there isn't any mention about the mystery, but there will be from next chapter and on.
Also, since I'm always curious of what characters will appear in any fanfic I read, I guess other people feel the same. So here are the ones that'll appear regularly: Derrick, Alicia and Dylan. I'm not sure about Claire (because I don't really like her...sorry Claire fans :/), but maybe she'll make a small appearance?
And being the fashion-loving girl I am, I decided to make polyvore sets of Kristen's and Massie's outfits and how I imagine them to be. The links are in my profile.
Once again, thanks for reading! Here's a nice quote I always love sharing: "Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." -Dr. Seuss
-Elizabeth
